Tackle something

A tackle is a move in football or rugby to dispossess a player of the ball.

Metaphorically, we use the word tackle as a synonym for confront or challege.

We need to tackle this issue.

Have you tackled him about it?

While you are learning that, you might like to watch this video - there's nothing a rugby player likes more than a good, strong tackle; ouch, that hurt!

Water off a duck's back

There's nothing you can say to upset me - it's water off a duck's back.

That's because ducks have a special coating of grease on their bodies that repels water.

So, someone who doesn't get bothered by criticism can say it's like water off a duck's back.

But hang on, there's another duck idiom - nice/good/perfect weather for ducks.

What would that be then?

Rain, of course - they love it!

Old Wives' Tales

Old wives' tales come from the days when people were less educated and more superstitious.

People had all sorts of strange ideas that they believed to be true but maybe there is some truth in them. Let's find out:

Up a Gumtree

Up a Gumtree is an Austrailian idiom.

It means to be in trouble or in a tricky situation.

The term was used in the foundation of the company Gumtree, which originally helped Australian travellers to get in touch and share advice and contacts.

Now it's a large commercial concern like EBay where goods are bought and sold and services offered.

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